Indigenous Peoples of Canada | Danielle & Jamie-Leigh from RAVEN Trust

Oct 9, 2023

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As new residents and citizens of Canada, it is so important for us to learn about and become allies for its Indigenous Peoples.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples have been living in what is now Canada for thousands of years, and they each have unique histories, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.

We newcomers are now lucky enough to call this beautiful country our home - but we must remind ourselves that we are living on their land.

In this episode, I’m joined by Danielle and Jamie-Leigh, who come to us from RAVEN Trust, a not-for-profit that raises legal defense funds to assist Indigenous Peoples.

They also have a fantastic online video course called Home on Native Land that you can take for FREE to start your learning.

In this episode, we discuss the history of colonization in Canada, including the definitions of Terra Nullius, the Doctrine of Discovery, and the Indian Act. We also speak about the common misconceptions about Indigenous peoples, as well as the ongoing conflict over broken treaties.

I ask Danielle and Jamie-Leigh whether Indigenous Peoples welcome immigrants and refugees to Canada, as well as what they think about the term “Canadian”.

They also share some of the ways that newcomers to Canada can contribute to ongoing reconciliation efforts.

In Canada, September 30 is The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or “Orange Shirt Day.” The day aims to raise awareness about the Indian Residential School System, where Indigenous children across Canada were ripped from their families, abused and thousands killed. It is also an opportunity to commit to the process of truth, justice, and reconciliation. You can learn more by clicking here.

Links & Resources:

Home on Native Land is a new, free online learning tool that is funny, honest, and accessible, providing a no-risk, comfortable way to understand Indigenous law, Canadian law, and their impact on the nation we call home. The series of 10 x 30-minute modules is the first public education initiative from RAVEN, an organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous rights.
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For more about us and what we do, check out our website: TheNewcomerCollective.com